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AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS TO THE DUKE 
DE MIREPOIX, 1756. 



(From the Report of the Historical Manuscripts Commission of the American 
Historical Association for 1896, pages 600-703.) 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1897. 




\'\^\ 



-■y\' 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS TO THE DUKE DE MIREPOIX, 1756. 

Before Lis resignation from the Commission, Dr. Douglas 
Brymner, Archivist of the Dominion of Canada, selected from 
the materials under his command the following letters, and had 
them copied for the Commission, The following introduction 
is due to him. The chairman of the Commission has appended 
a few footnotes. To him the letters a{)pear to have been 
written by some one who had a fair but not an intimate knowl- 
edge of what was going on, who held no important command, 
and who, as the Earl of Halifax conjectures in No. 10 of the 
series, was an Irishman. It is important as Avell as interest- 
ing to observe what imperfect information the Newcastle Gov- 
ernment had as to events, preparations, and conditions in 
America. 

In the final struggle for supremacy on the northern part of 
this continent between Great Britain and her colonies on the 
one side and France on the other, which culminated in the con- 
quest of Canada in 1760, the success in the first instance was 
largely on the side of the French. The defeat of Braddock 
and his death in 1755, the capture of Oswego in 1756, with the 
capture or destruction of the British fleet there, which gave 
the command of Lake Ontario to the French; these and sub- 
sequent events of a similar nature gave confidence to the 
French and led to the adhesion of the waiters on Providence 
who are always on the winning side. On both sides there 
were serious drawbacks to the vigorous prosecution of the war. 
On the side of the French there was the amazing corrui)tion 
whicli prevailed, the robberies committed by all grades in the 
public service, robberies by which the officials, from Bigot, the 
intondant, downward, in every branch of the service accumu- 
lated immense fortunes. Such conduct was tlie rule with 
scarcely an exception, so that the success of the Fren(;li troops 
in the field is almost wonderful. On tlie other side were 
divided councils, and generals in many cases far from efficient 
660 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 6()1 

ill a style of warfare to wliicli they were unaccustomed and 
against which they were therefoie unable to take precautions. 
The difliculty of manning the navy was extreme, sailors desert- 
ing from ships of war and tratisports in crowds to man the 
l)rivateers, the i)rize money being for New York alone not less 
than £200,01)0 sterling, and the sailor.s being harbored in the 
seaport towns by the inhabitants. It was only by the aid of 
the military that they could be secured in i*N^ew York and that 
Sir Charles Hardy's fleet was able to sail from that port. Nor 
was this all that the British forces had to contend with, as 
Lord Loudoun, writing to Pitt in June, 1757, reported that the 
French received from all quarters information of every move- 
ment in the colonies. These and other facts give a greater 
color of probability to the authenticity of the intercepted letters 
addressed to the Duke de Mirepoix, although the identity of 
the writer could not be discovered. 

In the letter dated the 12th of January, 1756, the writer 
states that he has no doubt of obtaining the services of Ger- 
mans in the United States on behalf of the French, and this is 
confirmed by the statement of an Onondaga Indian made to 
Sir William Johnson, that the Germans of Burnetfleld had sent 
by an Oneida to the French governor of Canada an offer of 
their services. In a letter from Capt. John Butler to Sir 
William Johnson, dated in March, 1757, the place from which 
this letter was sent is called the "Great Flatts," and it is said 
that Capt. Joost Petrie wrote the letter which was sent to 
Canada. In Wraxall's letter it is called German Flats; all 
three names, Burnetfleld, Great Flatts, and German Flats, no 
doubt refer to the same place. The French neutrals, also, in 
Pennsylvania, evidently encouraged by the success of the 
French at tlie opening of the war, threatened that they would 
go to their countrymen in the back country, and that they 
would all join the French, as they looked on themselves as 
French subjects. 

The efforts made to trace the writer of the letters addressed 
to the Duke de Mirepoix seem to have been unsuccessful, as, 
although indications were obtained, no proper means appear 
to have been taken to follow up the pursuit. The description 
by the writer of the letters of his own position was evidently 
given to mislead ; otherwise there would have been no difliculty 
in discovering who he was. 

Lord Loudoun was recalled, but his successor was most 



662 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

unfortunate in liis first oi)erations. Tlie liist gleam of impor- 
tant success Avas tlie taking of Louisbourg in 1758. It is 
doubtful, however, Avbether that would have fallen so easily 
but for the eflects of the nefarious conduct of Bigot and his 
confederates, ^ext year Niagara was taken, and in the same 
year Quebec fell ; the commanders of both forces dying from 
their wounds — the one at the moment of victory, the other 
shortly after his defeat. In 1760 Montreal fell, and with it all 
Canada, removing from the colonies the black danger-cloud 
that had so long threatened them, and from which had so often 
proceeded dire effects on the lives, property, and persons of the 
unfortunate inhabitants — killed, scalped, or taken prisoners. 
The power of France in this country was broken, and the 
settlers and inhabitants of New England could now rest 
undisturbed by these attacks from the French and Indians to 
which they had been hitherto continually exposed. 

The documents given here from the Canadian Archives are 
transcripts from those in the Public Kecord Office, London, 
where they form part of the series "America and West Indies" 
from volume 82 onward. 



1. HENRY FOX' TO THE EARL OF LOUDOUN.^ 

Secret.] Whitehall, May 7*1^ 1756 

My Lord, 

I have the King's commands to acquaint your Lordship with 
what has been done, in consequence of Two very extraordinary 
intercepted Letters, from an unknown Person, in America, 
addressed to the Due de Mirepoix; of the first Letter I inclose 
a Copy only, the Original being in the Hands of Colonel Webb; 
but you will find the second herewith as It was received. 

Your Lordship will see by the inclosed Copies of the Earl of 
Halifax's, and my Letters to Sir Charles Hardy, Gov'" Shirley, 
and Colonel AVebb, together with some papers therein refer'd 
to, the first steps that were taken here, in consequence of this 
Discovery: — Bat, since the Departure of Colonel Webb, a 
Duplicate of the second of these intercepted Letters, having 
been sent to Londonderry in Ireland, by a person, under the 

'Henry Fox (1705-1774), father of Charles James Fox, was Secretary of State from 
Novemher, 1755, to October, 1756. 

2 John Campbell, Karl of Loudoun (1705-1782), commissioned lommauder-iu-chief in 
America, March 20, 1756. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS. 1756. 663 

Name of James Allen of Philadelphia, uuder cover of the 
inclosed letter to M"" Gamble of that place, and transmitted to 
me by the Dnke of Devonshire, Lord Lieut of Ireland; I imme- 
diately desired His Grace would procure the Letters which I 
send inclosed, to Master Gamble, and M' Redmond Cunning- 
hiim, whereby your Lordship may probably be able to discover, 
by whom the said intercepted Letters were wrote; and will 
prosecute the Author, or Authors of them, there, or send them 
to England, as your Lordship shall think most advisable. 
I am 

H. Fox. 
Endorsed : — Dra* to the Earl of 
Loudoun 

May 7*" 1756 
Secret 



2. "FILIUS GALLIC.E" TO THE DUKE DE MIREPOIX.i 

America Jany 6^'' 175G N», 1 
May it Please your Grace, 

This may perhaps be somewhat surprising &c. but let it not 
oflend your Grace, for in the Deepest Humility 1 beg leave to 
approach y' G'- : and let me imi)lore y' G^« patience to hear me, 
I shall not here presume to make an apology, as time not 
I)lace '11 permitt; but hereafter, when I shall dare to Discover 
myself, and when I find this '11 be acceptable — I trust your 
goodness '11 excuse me; I doubt not but 1 shall find favour and 
protection with his Majesty, whose Paternal goodness to his 
subjects I am too sensible off — neither shall I here disclose my 
whole scheme; but only by hints and Insinuations give y'" Gr. 
a small Idea of my Designs; (in behalf of his most Christian 
Majesty ag"*^ the English) by w^ y^ Gr. 'II see that what I am 
ab* to undertake is easily accomplished — Therefore Let me 
earnestly beseech y Gr. to grant me y^' aid and assistance on 
this occasion, since the Honour and Glory of our Grand Mon- 
arch Lewis the fifteenth is concerned therein — ; whose honour 
&c I shall always think myself justified in, to Defend, tho' I 
prove false to those who employ me ag^* his Majesty, or his 
Subjects and as I place my Confidence in y G' and y G"^ is the 
only Person in the world I now Disclose my tho*^ to, 1 rely 

iMirepoix had been French ambassador in London, ] 749-1755. 



664 AMERICAN fllSTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

and earnestly entreat y^ G^ to keep this secret, for should it 
be discovered and get to the ears of the Eno-lish; y G^ must 
be sensible what would be the consequence; for although I'm 
unknown to y^ G"^ I am not so to the English I am weU per- 
suaded of y Grs: Interist at Court and Loyalty to His Majesty, 
and beg when y^G'' has read these imperfect lines (if y^' G- thinks 
fitt) to communicate 'em in a better Language to the Prime Min- 
ister and let me entreat y^ G^: to pay a due regard to what 
I'm ab* to write; tho' it be done in this ungeuteel illiterate &c. 
a manner, and let not my honest and sincere intentions towards 
his Most Christian iMajesty (the best of Kings) be disregarded, 
for want of a Proper Diction, and for want of properly address- 
ing- y^G"": for must confess I was not bred a scholar, but a 
soldier— and even am much hurried in writing- this; but rely 
on y G'« goodness to pardon me hereafter what I now do 
amiss, when y^ G' : shall hear of the good eflect of it. I take 
the liberty of writing- to y^ G' in English (as Pve my reasons 
for it) not doubting, but j^ G'' is well acquainted with that 
Language— but -if y G- vouchsafes to write to me in Perticular, 
desire it might be in French, for I understand that Language 

Avell; and also most of the Indian Languages in this country, 

before I finish this '11 give y^ G'. proper Directions to me. I 
am obliged to write this with my own hand for dare not con- 
fide in any but shant dare to fix ray name or place of abode 
&c— y (i- nuist doubtlessly be ac(iuanted with Xorth America 
it's fine countries, vast extent &c. &c. the considerable advan- 
tage it'll be to the Power that conquers it, and y G' nuist also 
'ere this be acquainted with what has lately been transacted 
in this part of the world. I am looked on in these parts, a 
faithful true and Loyal Subject of King George, but confess to 
y G'- that my heart is and always was for his Most Christian 
Majesty, his religion and country. I've some time ago, been very 
ill used by the English Goveruours here have within these 15 
days, been solicited to be at the head off a considerable army to 
be raised this Winter in Pensylvania Govern* &c, to be ready 
by next spring, to march ag«' Fort Du Quesne on the Ohio ^c'*: 
I shall take care to chuse out of the (Jermans, Irish &c=' such offi- 
cers and men, as I know are of the true EomanCatholick faith 
andDis-allectedtotheGovernt. NBrevenOhioisafineCountry 
and worth contending for, it's yet mostly inhabited by Indi- 
ans—Fort du Quesne is ab^ 300 miles, back of Virginia and 
Philadelphia, shall have a long march of it, Fort du (Quesne is 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 665 

much further from Cauada, but it's by water down a river; I 
think it's about 900 miles — I woukl earnestly entreat y G'" to 
cause to be sent unto mo proper letters of his Majestys apro- 
bation favour &c: to his People w^'' I might show to such of 
the army wheu on the March, as I know I shall prevail on; but 
desire such writings may be done in English and some of em 
in the German Tongue, as few people here understand the 
French Language, this I leave to y"" G^": to order it as it should 
be, shoud also be glad y^ G'« advice to me; and beg y'' G': 
would also order me a sura of money with his most Christian 
Majesty Impression on it, to Distribute among the soldiers 
and Indians (and to make presents to some great men) to gain 
them on my side and also ab* one thousand swords to present 
to the Officers; it would greatly influence 'em I woud not have 
y' G'' immagine, I desire the least of what I now ask for, for 
my self; on the contrary I assure y^' G^; that had I ability of 
myself only ; my zeal, for my Eoyal Master is such that I 
would go thro' the whole without craving any assistance (or 
Perish in the attempt) confiding in his Majestys goodness to 
consider me here after — as I shall render a just acco^ of every- 
thing y^" G^' '11 be pleased to comitt to my care, so I expect his 
Majesty '11 be repaid the charge I now desire he may be put 
to — .The raising, cloathing and arming the army '11 be at the 
expence of the Different Governts for whose service it's sup- 
posed I raise it — The money I ask for, is only to gain the army 
for his Majesty; (that all powerfnll Metal gains all things) and 
if y Grace '11 be pleased to order it as I shall mention, it'll come 
safe to my hands, tho' I should be on the march or at Fort du 
Quesne, y' G' : may perhaps think it a risque to trust a man you 
don't know, and at such Distance but all the security I can at 
present give y^ G'" is only my word of honour, and can with a 
clear conscience assure y: G'": that if you'll venture y' G' : '11 
find it on a sure Bottom neither would I have y'" G^ immagine 
that this writing may be the effect of a wild Brain &c^ because 
it's jnmbled together in an odd manner — K. B : the raising this 
army is to be done very still and without noise. Least the news 
might reach Canada, and this serves my purpose best to chuse 
my men I also acquaint y"^ G'": that I am not to be ready to 
march till next May, by order of Gov"". Shirley who is General- 
issimo of all the King's forces in these parts — and y'" G' : may 
also depend, that I shall delay the march as long as possible, 
on purpose to hear from y^' G' : I rely on y' G' : to send me 



66S AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

such Letters &c by the first English A'essels next spring, or 
fear I shant so easily be able to persuade the peoj^le: and 
when I have "em shall send notice to the Conunanding Officer 
at fort du Quesne ot my Intentions and shall also send letters 
to Canada and urge them also to be ready. The armies of 
Gov. Shirley and General Johnson are Quartered this winter 
on the frontiers of ]!^ew York (they cosist of ab* Eight thousand 
men) to be ready by next spring: when they'll be made up to 
15 or IG thousand, to march ag-'* Crown Point Kiagara ^C^. 
K B: Shirleys army is intended ag"^ Xiagara, and Johnsons 
ag*'* Crown Point at the Distance of ab*. 3a0 miles from each 
other; Shirleys army is now Quartered at Oswego ab'. 200 
miles above Albany, and Johnsons at Lake Sacrament, where 
they've built a strong Ibrt since the defeat of that worthy 
Gentl"'. Mods'. Le Baron de Diskau Many of Mods'. Dies- 
<au's soldiers, since the Defeat are gone over to the English — 
N. B. the roads to the above Cam])s are very far and Difficult, 
perticularly to M'' Johnsons, w'' is mostly by Land, so I doubt 
if they'll be able to carry their Provisions «S:c=' &c=* from Alb. ny, 
so early as they exi)ect ab* 40 waggons went dayly Last sum- 
mer from Albany to Johnsons Camp, and coud only keep 'em 
iu Provisions from hand to mouth, shoud the above armies 
not be prevented in their IntentioDs, 1 should be in very great 
pain for Canada, but am Id hopes I shall be CDabled to turn 
their force auother way — They'll Dot be able to do any hurt 
there till ab^ next June or July, as the season is late there, it 
being so far to the Northward: The late General Braddock's 
troops have been Drawn from the frontiers ot Virginia «S:c" to 
New York and have been sent from thence u}) to Albany to 
Join Gen'. Shirleys Pegement at Oswego, (Albany lies ab' 150 
miles above New York up a very fine and Navigable River) 
since these troops have been drawn from thence, the Indians 
in his most Christian Majesty Inter^: with those w'"* had been 
in the English Int" before Braddock's defeat, have fallen on 
the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, Pensylvania, Jersey's &c'' 
and Lay waste the Country, murder and scalj) many of the 
people and carry away some captive. This is well pleasing to 
me, because it excites the Governt\ the more earnest to raise 
the money and soldiers; (who are yet Disputing ab* furnish- 
ing their Quotas of money) Phil'' has already granted sixty 
thousand pounds towards it, that City is much Divided, the 
Gov' and assembly are at such varience, that their Disputes 
are to be transmitted to Eiiiihind — . 



tNTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 667 

The Indians have advanced to ab^ 60 miles back of PhiK 
and burnt up whole villages; did they but know the condition 
Phil^. is in at present they might do the same to that city; 
The armies of Shirley and Johnson, are also much Devided, 
striving, who shall get the most money and honour by the 
expedition, (This is according to the English Disposition) I 
coud wish they woud get by the ears, as I shoud the more 
easily execute my scheme — . I am assured of a Collonel, and 
3 Capt^ Inter** in Shirleys Regm* provided I coud show them 
eUcouragement from home — . The Coll. informed me, in a let- 
ter that Gen^ Johnson had told him, he woud lay down his 
comm** on acco* of the Disputes between him and Shirley &c*. 
(ISTB: General Johnson was borned in Ireland, and has not 
been in this Country above 20 years, but on acco*^ of his geting 
in with the Irroquois (W^ the English call the five Nations) 
and having great Inter^ with them, he is at this time thus pro- 
moted; he is a man of ab* 40 years old, and has his seat in the 
Mohawk Country — . (N. B : The Gover^^ of Pensilvenia Jer- 
seys &c,^ Lave sent out several detachments 2 and 3 hundred 
men ag^' the Indians that enrageded (?) them as above men- 
tioned, but the detachments have continually been repulsed 
and taken by them) The Gove'" of New York is also out with 
Shirley — . If their Disputes have no other good effect in my 
Behalf, it will however retard their expeditions — . All last 
summer Shirley's army was doing nothing else but repairing 
fort Oswego and building vessels of war to cruise on Lake 
Ontario; if that had been a french Army, it woud have taken 
Niagara (if it had been in the hands of the English) and what 
ever else it wanted — but the English are a most dilatory, indo- 
lent people, never in haste, but spend most of their time in 
drinking and jangling together — . They call themselves (for- 
sootli) a free people; and indeed, I have found 'era so, for the 
meanest soldier has as much to say as his officer, there is no 
Govern* among 'em — but let me not find fault with their Dila- 
toriness and Indolence &c'^ at present since it serves my pur- 
pose best, and '11 give time to have y"' Gr^ answer; and I 
expect to hear from y Grace, before anything '11 be done here 
to his Majestys Prejudice and trust y"" G'': '11 be as expeditious 
in sending to me as possible, as I've been in writing to y'^ 
G"": — had not Mons^" Dieskaw, (whose defeat Thope to revenge) 
come ag"^* Johnson there would 've been no battle faught Last 
summer; and had not the cannon, w*^"^ the English had and w*^^ 



668 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

the freiicli Army was not apprehensive off, put the Canadi- 
ans and Indians in confiision, in all probability, that worthy 
Gent"' mnst have beaten Johnson, for by what I ooud perceive, 
the English were struck with a panick, and were near ready 
to quit the field before that; and what ever the English may 
boast of Victory, I must say they behaved very ill, consider- 
ing their advantages and numbers, — and can only impute it to 
a turn of good fortune in favor of the English, rather than con- 
duct, aiul altlio'the french were beaten, there was considerable 
more of the English killed in the action, than of the french — . 
1 am credibly informed that tlie Indians, on the back i)arts of 
the countrys above mentioned are become very numerous; if 
these creatures had arms, and were properly Led forth, they 
might do great execution ; I doubt not but I shall have 'em all 
with me next summer, provided I can shew them his Majestys 
letters ^C^ w' ^' I shall impatiently wait for — . but shoud I not 
have 'em by that time, I shall be obliged, much ag'^' my will 
and conscience to fight ag*"* my Bretheren the french and those 
Indians w'"' have forsaken the English Int^ since Braddocks 
Defeat must join me for their own safety — . If y G' : shoud 
be dubious of the truth of what I here relate of things here, I 
beg leave to referr y*^ G' : to the late news papers from these 
parts to this Inst: wherein if y' Gr: '11 find to agree with what 
I say (except my design ag** the English) 

This y Gr: may Look on as Idle, as news papers, contain 
often the Greatest falsities: but I assure y'' Gr: that whatever 
is therein related of things that happen in these parts, is fact, 
y'" Gr: maj' have s'' news papers of y" correspondances, from 
London and Holland, as it woud not do to enclose 'em here, 
for I woud fain have this Packett as small as possible and 
even as it is, I find it Diflicult to have it conveyed to y' Gr: 
since y"' Gr:" return from the British Court, on acco* of the 
approaching wai', with England and the perfidy of the Eng- 
lish; and shoud this letter not get safe to y"" Gr: and I not 
hear from y'" Gr : in time, I shoud Despair of success, I intended 
to have sent this under cover to Mons'. Dieskau's brother in 
Holland as I'v^e no accpiaintance there, but fearing least the 
name of Dieskau might create susi)icion, 1 shall send it at a 
venture to some merch' there and give it here to a friend 
(who'll not suspect the contents) to send it to New York to be 
IbrAA-arded from thence, and for fear of Miscarriage shall take 
a copy of it to send p another conveyance — . and now beg 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 669 

leave to Inform y^ Gr: how, and in what manner to Direct and 
send to me. I shall appoint a friend to receive all such Let- 
ters &c^ as y'' Gr : '11 be pleased to order to me by the name of 
Pierre Fidel, and shall 've 'em immediately sent to me; this 
friend shall appoint another at ^ew York, tho' they'll both be 
Ignorant what they contain; I should also acquaint y^" Gr: 
that there are great numbers of vessells that trade from these 
parts to Europe, perticularly to England and Holland (K.B: 
there is Packet boats to go constant from England to its 
American Collonies) I woud chuse to have Avhat y Gr: wou'd 
be pleased to order to me come by the English vessells from 
Holland; (as there is to be a neutrality during a war with 
England, between his most Christian Majesty and the States 
Generals) I shoud think it the surest way; and woud chuse to 
have it come by Different vessells and not all in one Bottom. 
However, I leave it to y'" Gr:« wise and prudent conduct to 
order as y'" Gr: shall judge proper; as I doubt not but y' Gr: 
has corrispondences in both phices that may be relyed on, but 
Let me pray y'' Gr: that it may -be done privately without wit- 
ness not to give any suspicion either there or here, and if I 
might take upou me to advise y' Gr:. It might be ordered 
among some Lawfull Merchandize and shiped,and the Masters 
of such Vessells can sign bills Lading to Deliver such goods to 
the s'^ Pierre Fidel or his order — , 1 am told there are many 
vessels expected next spring from Holland to New York; I 
woud chuse to have 'em come to that Port, as t'woud be the 
safest — . there are also several expected from London to that 
Port — . Be pleased to Diiect 
To 

M"-. Pierre Fidel 

to be left at M'. Homer's 

Coffyhouse (untill asked for) 
in New York. 

If y Gr: Directs to M*" Pierre Fidel, as above said, y^ Gr: 
need not in the least doubt of its being safely conveyed to me. 

I have been to New York to visit Mons'" Dieskau where he 
lies still 111 of his wounds, but is now Like to recover, he is in a 
good house, well attended and great care is taken of him (to 
the honour of the English be this said) he has his aid de Camp 
with him; Had that unhappy Gentl'" had the good fortune to 
have beaten Johnson's Army, he woud 'ere this have been iu 



670 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

possession of tLe City of Albany, and woud infallibly have cut 
oft' Shirley's army also as he coud i)revent all supplys being 
sent tliither, and by reinforcements he might have had from 
Canada &c'' he coud have strengthened himself there this 
winter, and by next spring- sent Emissaries privately thro' the 
land to* those who are of the true Roman Catholick faith of 
w" "^ there are great numbers who dare' not show their heads, 
and who I know wislied and prayed for his success; many of 
whom since his confineinent at Xew York have Desired ro see 
him, but have not been permitted — .he might also have sent 
to tlie negro Slaves (of w''^' there are some thousands) and 
promised tbein their freedom — . he would bave been joined by 
Multitudes, — and then have Issued his Proclamation in his Most 
Christian Majestys name, granting free liberty of conscience. 
Enjoyments of their Estates, llights and Privileges &c'' &c" as 
afore to those wlio woud only submitt to his Majestys Clemency 
and become his Subjects — . I doubt not but most of the herri- 
ticks would comply rather than lose their all, and perish, and 
by next summer he might have been in possession of New York 
(w*='' is ab^ the center of the British Dominions on the Conti- 
nent) and afterwards it woud be no Difficult matter, if he was 
supplyed with money &c'^ from home, to make himself master 
of all tbe Jerseys, Pensylvenia &c'' and in consequence the 
English West Indias must fall, as they coud not long subsist 
without these provision Collonies — As woud also tlie Countries 
to the Eastward, as far as Boston &c'': — but that unfortunate 
Gentleman was deceived in his Intelligences — neither was it in 
my Power to send him any as I did to Mons'' de Contrecour at 
fort du Quesne when Braddock was marching that way Mons"^ 
Dumas in a letter conveyed to me p an English Indian after- 
wards returned me, his and Mons' de Contrecours thanks for 
the advice I had given them, and said the victory was in a 
great measure to it. N. B : Mess" de Beaujeu, Carneville and 
Dumas were Capts that fought ag^^ Braddock. the two former 
fell in Battle as Mons"" Dumas mentioned to me I well per- 
suaded that did Mons"" Dieskau Know of my writing this he 
woud, if he were allowed to write, attest it with both his hands, 
1 only mentioned it to him, that I had a letter to be forwarded 
to france and he immediately recommended me to his Bro"" 
assuring me he would forward it for me — it grieves me to see 
the poor french Inhabitants of Mines in Nova Scotia,' Dis- 

> The deported Acadians. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 671 

persed thro' all the Euglish Colloiiies, w''^ the Engh'sh have 
trausported from theuce. I beg" y^ Gn". pardon for detaining 
j^ Gr: with this unlucky turn of Mons^ Dieskau »&c% it was not 
my Intention when I first sat down to write to y'' Gr: but 
assure y Gr : that it woud've given me equal pleasure if that 
Gentl" had succeeded, as if I had done it Myself. — And^permit 
me now to say, I leave y Gr: to Judge what resistance they'll 
be able to make when they have so powerful! an Ennemy in 
the heart of their Country, unsuspected, unguarded and unpro- 
vided as they'll be to receive him — . I want not any troops to 
be sent me, (for here are men enough) but a sufficiency of money 
to hire them with — . And dare affirm, that half the sum vf'^^ was 
expended in transporting Mons"^ Dieskau and his forces hither 
woud (in this way) conquer all Korth America for my Royal 
Master Lewis XY: and woud bring the English to terms with 
regard to Limitts here — . I wish y"" Gr: all blessing spiritual 
and temporal in the Ensuing New York, [sic] and wish success 
to his Majesty s Arms, and am tho' unknown to y'' Gr: with all 
due reverence and respect, may it i)lease y' Grace 
Your Graces most obedient, most 
Hb^*^ and Most Devoted Serv* 

Eilius Gallicae. 

P. S. before I Close this I must hint to y^ G^': that a few days 
ago, there has been at New York a Congress of the English 
Gover® on the Continent,^ they've not yet communicated the 
result of it to me; An Express will soon sail from thence for 
England — . It's not in my Power to explain myself here as I 
coud wish to do, nor to write the whole situation of affairs here; 
for as said afore time nor place '11 permitt. hereafter hope to do 
it better and in more form — . but thus much I've only now been 
able to insinuate to y G'' : in hope of succeeding in my Designs, 
and in making myself in part Known to y'" G'^ : that his Majesty 
may also know, he has (tho' unknown) a faithfull true and Loyall 
subject in these parts, and who with his Majestys' expects soon 
to drive all the English who will not submitt to his Majestys 
goodness; off the continent — . Therefore let me now at last 
move y^ G'": by heaven and earth, not to Despise what I say but 
comply with my request — hereafter, I shall not prove so tedi- 
ous, nor multiply words as I am now obliged to do. 

The British Dominions, from Halifax to Georgia is computed 

1 The writer alludes, no doubt, to the council of war of December 12, 13, 1755. 



072 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

a tab* 2000 miles, it Lies in a circle ad joining- the sea, with beau- 
tiful rivers running through, and fine Harbours, fitt for the 
Largest first rate Ships, a very pleutifull Country of all things, 
but their Country Lies all open and Defenceless, and the Peo- 
ple much alarmed and frightened at the Least acco* of a french 
fleet on their Coast, because of their nakedness — The clinuite 
here; havefoundit much the same asin France; The Couutrys 
w*^^ Lye to the Westward and Southward have their springs 
very early and scarce any winter, but those w'''' Lye to the 
Northward have their springs late &c'' 

X,I>: there has latly been discovered in Jersey Govern* sev- 
eral very good Copper mines, iutermixt with silver. 

an hour ago a Geutl" arrived from New York, came to visit 
me, he said, it was reported there, that a french fleet, consist- 
ing of 17 men of war and transports with some Bomb Vessells, 
was arrived at Spanish river in Cape IJreton, and ware landing 
their men &c'^ the news was said to come via Boston, from S' 
Peters in Newfoundland and from Halifax in Nova Scotia, 
this news I coud wish with all my heart to be true as the Eng- 
lish fleet is sailed from thence for England — but I immagine it's 
only his Majestys fleet w'-^* sailed down the river St. Lawrence 
Last fall, homeward bound, w"^^'' might have put in there. 

Jan> 7*" 

I am informed that M'' John de Neufville merch* at Amster- 
dam does business for (lentlemen in New York I've concluded 
to send it to his care, as from New York by the name of George 
Spellings and shall pretend to him a recommendation from liis 
friends there on purpose to have it immediately forwarded to 
y' Gr. and shall desire him to let me Know by that name of its 
being sent to yourCh-ace. 

Jany 8<i> 17-lG [175G] 

The Post sets out this afternoon for New York, I shall 
Deliver this (under cover) to my friend here to be forwarded 
thither — 

I said in my Letter I would not in the Least Discover myself, 
but thus much I'll now venture to intimate to y' Gr: trusting 
that it'll abide only with y' Gr: untill I have accomplished my 
Designs — . I was born'd, and all my relations Live, in old 
france in good repute and Loyall subjects to his Majesty; and 
assure y Gr : some of 'em not unworthy y' (ir« notice, and some 
of 'em not unknown to y (4' as by a Letter I received 
some time ago from one of them. I intended at first to have 
sent this Letter under cover to him — but I have my reasoug 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 673 

for not doing it, besides I dou't believe an Englisli Capt'^ 
woud deliver a Letter from on board his vessell, at this time, 
that was directed to France — I shall send y^ Gr: a few lines 
again next spring, in the best manner I can — but expect y'" 
Gr: '11 be doing for me in the Intrim and if I succeed in my 
attempt, (as I dou't in the least doubt, if I am now granted 
what I require) I'll return home and Lay myself with gratitude 
at y"" Gr.'s feet, for I am tired of playing the prodigal, and 
Long to be home with my friends, and relations again from 
whom I have strayed these many years; but should not chuse 
to return to them but in honour — I shall be 38 years old nex 
August, am still a single man and most part of my Life has 
been spent in the service of the English, w*^'' I have always 
faithfully Discharg'd but now again to be employed and tight 
agst my King and country I cant any more bear to think oft",* 
and yet shall be obliged to do it, for subsistance, as I've no 
other Dependauce iiere, and no Estate at home I was sent near 
the close of the last war a commissioner to Canada, where 
seeing the confidence of the English placed in me, and hearing 
how much- 1 was in the esteem of all sorts of People among 
them, and knowing my Principles and from whence I was it 
was there agreed upon, that if the English shoud at any time 
thereafter promote me to a general of an army ag*"* them, that 
I shoud employ my whole force in behalf of his most christian 
Majesty, and write home ab*^ it and I should be immediately 
assisted. This now is come to pass, contrary to my expecta- 
tions; it's a fourtuight since I was appointed and am already 
confirmed (since the evasions of the french and Indians on 
their frontiers as afore mentioned,) and hope now to be enabled 
to put my scheme in execution as above said; and hope y"" 
Gr: '11 excuse me for making choice of y Gr: to write to, its 
not in my power at this time to acquaint the Gentl" in Canada 
of what has happened to me, neither woud it avail any thing 
untill I had some assurance of being assisted from home — . 
¥«■ Gr : may perhaps hereafter accuse me of perfidy and Ingrat- 
itude to the English, and a person not fit to be trusted; to w*^^^ 
I beg leave to answer y^ Gr:, that as to Perfidy I have already 
intimated toyGr: how my heart has always been disposed 
and coud at any time satisfy y^' Gr: to the contrary, and as 
to Ingratitude; if the English have given me commissions 
and i)romoted me to honours among them it was to serve their 
own purposes, and they've had my services for it w'^'' they've 
never had reason to comfjlain off; Besides I expect greater 
H. Doc. 353 43 



674 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

prefferments, if I succeed, by his Majesty, and tben I shall be 
among my own people and enjoy my religion freely, w*^'' I have 
not dared to do, since I've been among the English, but must 
tamely bear to hear my religion King and country reflected on 
by Heriticks, and have never yet been in the Chapel at Phil* 
for fear of giving suspicion, however 1 shall always retain a 
gratefull seuce of the English civilities and good will toward 
me while they thought me their own, and intend to be kind 
to them — espetialy those I have received great frieudsbips 
from — . except some of their Gov'^ IS .B : There is a reward of 
700 p 8/8 offered by the Governt of Phi* to any who shall 
bring the heads of Shingas, and Jacobs, two chiefs of the 
Delaware Indian Katioii who have revolted from the English. ^ 
I shoud be very sorry to see their heads Bro^ as they are my 
very good friends — . but am not iu much concern about them 
as tbey'U not easily be taken. Most of tlie back Inhabitants 
of Phil* Maryland &c* are fled to the cities, and have left 
their Plantations a j)rey to the Indians. — . The sight of one 
Indian '11 frighten and drive away a score of Englishmen — 
I must also acquaint y'" Gr: that it was the appearance of the 
Indians that frightened Braddocks men, and put bis army in 
(Confusion. — here is a certain acco' come yesterday from Hal- 
ifax in Nova Scotia that some of King George's Soldiers who 
had strayed iu tbe woods; were taken Prisoners by the trench 
and Indians tliere; that the New England troops w^'' were 
hired to take Mines; were Quarreling with the Governor there, 
ab* their pay, and because the Gov'' had not prepared vessells 
to carry them home according to promiss; that the New Eng. 
land troops, and the Kings troops were fighting with each 
other &C'' — N. B. I mention the Inroads of the Indians &c* 
to Let y'" G'" see the Deplorable Condition most of the British 
Collonies are in at present, and how easily they may be at this 
time subdued. 

A Mon Seigneur 
Men Seigneur Le Due de Mirepoix 
a 

Paris 
Copy 
The original given to the 
Earl of Loudoun. 



'Jacobs was killed about April 1 ; Pa. Archives, ii, 612. Shingas survived ; ibid., ui, 533. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756, 675 

3. "FILIUS GALLIC.E" TO THE DUKE DE MIREPOIX. 

Jany 12"' 175G 

The Original I have sent under cover to M"" John de Neufville 
Merchant at Amsterdam to be forwarded from ISTew York p. 
the Nightingale Man of War, which I heard was soon to sail 
the Express to London. 

My Serjeants have within these 3 days Enlisted 600 men, my 
compli"' is to be 15000, and if I shon'd have occasion I believe 
I con'd raise 50,000 in Pensilvania Government only, for there 
has been yearly vast nnmbers of Germans imported from Hol- 
land, who are very poor and wou'd be glad to do anything for 
a living" as most of them are oblig'd to sell themselves to pay 
their passage thither. These i)eoi)le I am persuaded, it would 
be a matter of ludifterence to them (if they were paid) whom 
they serv'd; whether the King of France or the King of Eng- 
land, and I know most of them would from principle rather 
choose to serve my Royal Master : 

There has also been from time to Time, transported from 
England vast Numbers of Irish, to Virginia and Philadelphia 
for the Peopb'ng The Kings Plantations Most of these are 
of the true Roman Catholick Faith. 

There has also been continually transported from England 
to the above places, what they call convicts, for crimes com- 
itted there, for which they are Sold in Slavery for seven 
years — Some of these that I have happened to speak to, have 
profess'd the true Catholick Religion, but their Religion is 
much the same with most of the Hereticks in this Country, 
who (by what I can perceive) mind no other than that of get- 
ting Money; and may be hired to do anything. 

We have an account here that a Body of Eleven hundred 
Indians had appeared at Goshen^ and behav'd very insolently 
that all the Country thereabouts were in alarm, they were said 
to be Delawar Indians, who always had i)rofes'd themselv^es 
friends to the English — But of late seem'd to be wavering. 

Goshen is between New York and Albany up Hudsons 
River (call'd at New York the North River) back of the High- 
lands, on the other side the River with New York — at 00 
miles from New York — N. B. We've had the Winter hitherto 

>See New Tork Colonial Documents, vii, 96. 



676 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

very moderate almost evry day like Spring and can't bear of 
any snow being fall'n yet to tbe Xoi-tbward. 
Endorsed: — Copy of an Intercei^ted Letter — directed a Mon 
Seigneur. Mon Seigneur Le Due de Mirepoix 
a Paris. 

inclosing tbe long Letter berewitb sent, to tbe 
sd. Due de Mirepoix. — came from N. York, by 
a Englisb Sloop. 
Tbe Original of tbis Letter was given to Col" Webb. 



4. "FILIUS GALLICE" TO THE DUKE DE MIREPOIX. 

America Marcb l*"* 1756 
May it please your Grace 

I beg leave to refer your Grace to wbat I wrote y' G' : tbe 6"' 
of Jany last wbicb 1 sent under cover to M' John de Xeufville 
Mercb' at Amsterdam, and a copy to M' Josbua Vaneck in 
London and now according to my Promise acquaint y"^ G'" 
that 1 bave since Levied 10,000 fine men, sucb as I woud bave 
and sball soon bave my compliment of 15,000. I bave by tbe 
bye Intimated to my Aid de Camp and some of tbe officers 
something of wbat I.wrote y' G' : and find, tbat If I am assisted 
as requested of y G' : I sball gain my Point; But if I 
should not hear from y' : G': by the 1** of next July, I sball 
conclude y"^: G' : has not Digned me an answer and shan't for 
the future trouble y' Vj^: any more, but '11 content myself to 
end my Days in this Country, and Instead of being a friend to 
my King and Country, I shall be oblidged to act ag"* both and 
become an Enemy to them but I trust and flatter myself that 
y-' G^: '11 answer me and if y^ G"^: thinks me Worthy y'' Gr^ 
Corrispondence I Avoud now beg y^' Gr^ favour to Inform me 
bow and in what manner to Direct for tbe future to y' (r'": to 
whose care &g^ I must order my Letters &C'^ to be forwarded 
to y G^ for I bave been strangely puzzled about sending these 
I bave wrove to y G'. and when I may again write to y" G"^: it 
shall be in French W^'' is my own Language I Avould also be 
Informed by y' G"^: to Avhom it woud be proper for me here- 
after to send an acco* c<:c" to of these parts &C'' in case y'^ G"" 
should be absent &c* 
I am as afore 

Vour Grace's Most devoted Servant 

Eilius Gallicae 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 677 

P. S. I was informed tliat both my Letters -w^' were sent 
to New York was put aboard tbe Nightingale Man of War 
Bound to London (there being no other Vessell at the time 
Design'd for Europe) w^"^' did not sail from the hook afore the 
7*1' ult: The hook is twenty miles from New York Harbour 
from whence all their vessells put into Sea, I am not now 
under the Least Concern in case any of my Letters to y'' G'": 
should be inspected; that it woud be a prejudice to me, for I 
am from my behaviour among the English here in tbat Vogue 
among them, — that I should not in the Least be suspected, 
But it would be Imagined that those Letters were forged by 
some Malicious Persons, to undermine me and I can easily 
deny them if they shoud come ag''* me as my name is not 
fixed and I in a great measure conterfieted a Different hand 
from what I naturally write, as I have already mentioned to 
y G'. to whom I have under cover Directed them. In case 
they shoud not be come to y'' Gr^ hands ere this, y Grace '11 
hereby Know of whom to Demand them. In those Letters I gave 
y G'": Proper Directions to me &c^ and beged y' G"": to be as 
expeditious to me as Possible and seem'd afear'd that I shoud 
not be able to hear from y' G' : in time, — but now Inform y^ : G"" : 
that y"^: Gr : '11 have time enough even after the receipt of this 
for here are not near Arms &g^ enough at present for the 
number of men I have already reased; and it's but Lately that 
they have been wrote for; as well from Holland as from Eng- 
land, w'^'" don't expect '11 be here afore the l*** of next June. 
Your Grace must know that this army is not reased at the 
Expence of the Crown of Brittain, but at the Private Expense 
of the Different Governments to the Westward here, — who 
order and Direct everything about it themselves — and when 
ready as a Comp'*. to M' Shirley it is to be submitted to his 
order and Direction w' '* will agree with theirs — , But I hope 
it '11 be Governed by your Grace's orders and commands. 

N. B. Peusylvania is not immediately under the Crown of 
Brittain but is a proprietary Government under Pen. 

I beg yr : Gr : to send to me immediately, and I trust yr: Gr : 
'11 be sending to me all next summer, for on Receipt of the 
first Letters and sum of money from yr: Gr : I am so persuaded 
of success, that I shall look on all the Countries to the West- 
ward as our own. I woud not have y^' Gr : be under any appre- 
hensions of fear on my acco* from the armies of Shirley and 
Johnson, they being at so great a Distance from me — that I 
shall be Master of those Countries afore they can in the least 



678 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

molest rae, and tliey may be cut off afore they can come near 
me — Besides when I have what I have required of y^Gr: I 
doubt not but I shall be able to Draw the greatest part of their 
armies over to me. 

There has lately been three English men taken up who 
l)roved to be spies sent from Canada one of 'em was found 
Listing men among the Germans to send 'em off to foit du 
Quesne on the Ohio, they are put in Irons in Close Prison. If 
the Canadians did know what I am about they might spare 
themselves the trouble. 

We've an acco* here — that they are raising a great force and 
making great Preparations in Canada ag^* the English, and 
have built several! Yessells of force at Lake Ontario, 

The French have built a fort not more than 40 Miles from 
Bethelehem — while the Indians were invading those Parts — 
there is a body of upwards of 3,000 Shawanese and Delaware 
«S:c^ Indians now in the French Interest W'' make these In- 
roads — these Indians were formerly in the English Inter« but 
since the Defeat of Braddock, they have taken up the hatchet 
ags* them — (Bethelehem is a town settled by a People called 
here — the Moravian Bretheru about CO miles back of PhiP) 
but the Cherokees who are very numerous and have never 
been conquered have entered into alliance with the English 
and choose (in great form) King George as their King and 
father — they have offerred me 1000 of their men to join me at 
tbe Ohio provided I woud take them in the Govern*^ pay: this 
I have mentioned to the Governments — but they rather chuse 
that Gov Shirley shoud allow them the King's pay, I have 
accordingly Dispatched an officer with this message to Gov"" 
Shirley (who is now at his Govern* at Boston) to know his 
pleasure ab< it. 

The Cherokee Indian Nation inhabit the Countries back of 
South Carolina. South Carolina is the place where most of the 
Vessells that are bound from these parts to Holland go to Load 
with rice. 

I have heard that the Indians in his most christian Majesty's 
Inter* have also made Inroads on the Western frontiers of 
Boston. 

I have also heard that Mons' Dieskau's Aid de Camp was 
sent over to England in the Nightingale Man of War but I fear 
he'll be more confined there so as not to be able to give any 
Intelligences of these Parts. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 679 

K. B. I mentioned to y'' Gr : on tlie cover of the copy, w<^^ 
was sent to the care of M'" Joshua Yaneck,' (the family of M'^ 
Vaneck I was Introduced to when I first Left France and as I 
soon Left London for these Parts, I scarce knew any other 
there) of a body of 1100, ludians that appeared at Goshen ;i 
a place between Albany and ISTew York; that body has since 
been Quiet by a threat sent them from the Mohawks — I also 
on s'^ cover mentioned to y' Gr: the great number of Irish &c* 
that have been transported from England to Yirginia and 
Philadelphia for the better peopling of the King's plantations 
and also of the Yast number of Germans, that have been 
yearly imported fi^om Holland, who are all very poor and are 
oblidged to sell themselves to the Inhabitants to pay their 
Passage. Most of the above People are of the true Eoman 
Catholick Religion and I am persuaded they wou'd rather 
(from principle; chuse to serve my Royal Master. I also men- 
tiomd to y G'.: that most of the hereticks have minded no 
oihei Religion than that of getting money, &c=* &c'^ and that I 
believed they might be hired to any thing; this I am now the 
more convinced off even among the best and richest of 'em — 
for being in club a few nights ago, where the Chief Topick 
was upon the Desolate Condition the British Collonies to the 
West ward were in at present, maney of 'em said, in good 
earnest that it woud be the same thing to them who was their 
ICiCj,; wJ.' ^b»T tJiP; Tr^.-; -<■ t^moI-^tuI or the Kina- of France, 
provided they enjoyed their Estates they had here unmoV<;ted— - 
I ra. -ition this &c='to Let yGr: seethe Disposition of some of 
Kii!^ George's subjects here, »&c* and what encouragement I 
have of success, but I fear I have again trespassed upon y 
Gr« patience, and again assure y Gr: that it was not my Inten- 
tion at first to draw this to such length and tho' I make so 
much time (W^' is very agreeable to me) to write to y^G^ I am 
dayly so much hurried as to 've scarce Leisure to eat my 
meals— and now bid y^ Grace adieu uutill I shall be blessed 
fi oin y"^ Grace, W'" I do soon expect, for I donbt not but y^ 
Grace '11 be as ready to serve our grand monarch as myself. 
3d Copy 

N. B. the 1^* and 2'^ of this date were Directed under cover 
to the same hands as the former, but Least they might not be 
immediately forwarded to y Grace, I shall Deliver this Last 



1 See note to No. 3, supra. 



G80 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

copy to one of my officers, whom I can confide in, to be for- 
warded to any of liis friends in Ireland. 
Endorsed : — 

A Mon Seignenr 

Monseigneur Le Due de Mirepoix 
a 

Paris 
NB: the 1'* and 2'' of tliis date w''^ were again sent to Xew 
York to be forwarded from tlience, I liave hear, were put 
aboard the Packet there, Bound to London. 



5. "JAMES ALLEN" TO HENRY GAMBLE. 
Copy Philadelphia March 3'^ 1756 

Having neglected a conveyance I had from lience to Holhuid, 
and asking my Friend M' Kedmond Cuunyngham, if He Knew 
of any other Vessel for Europe, he informed me that there was 
one Lying ready at xfew York bound to Newry, and said. He 
would take Care to forward the Enclosed for me, But Master 
Gamble (who without Flattery is a pretty promising youth) 
desired me to send it to your care, assuring me, it would not 
be delayed with you, so I have made free to trouble you with 
i*- ^'^ouesting you would have it sent P first opp^ and T 'i.all 
. ena ic iv xncw \ovk to have it put aboard s'^ Yessell— . ls this 
Letter to the Duke contains chiefly a complaint made fo- In- 
juries suffered by the frencli you'll greatly oblige the parties 
concerned, and it shall be acknowledged by, 
Y"" unknown lib'' Serv* 

James Allen 
Directed 

To 

M' Henry Gamble 
at 

Londonderry 
Via New York 
Endorsed: — Copy of a Letter from 

James Allen to M' Ileiny Gamble 
Philadelpliia March 3"^ 17.")() 
Tiie Original of this Letter was given to the Earl of 
Loudoun. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 681 

6. "FILIUS GALLIC.E" TO THE DUKE DE MIREPOIX. 

Copy America March 19*^ 175G 

May it please your Grace, 

I ask your Grace's Pardon for troubling your Grace again 
when I said 1 wou'd not, but cannot orait acquainting your 
Gr: that I have disclosed in a great Measure what I have 
wrote to Your Grace to ten of my Officers who I know I could 
confide in, and We have all solemnly sworn to each other (in 
case my Kequest to your Grace be granted) not to sheath the 
Sword 'till all the Country to the Westward and South ward 
be the Property of His Most Christian Majesty. And as we 
are all sensible in an Enterprise of this Nature that We must 
either vanquish or perish in the attempt. We are prepared to 
meet whatever Fate may attend us in behalf of our King and 
Country — these Officers assure me that most of the Men they 
have listed are of the true Eoman Catholick Eeligion and do 
not in the least doubt but that they'll very easily prevail with 
them to join them, but we shan't dare to trust them till We 
hear from your (ir: I wou'd still further request the favour of 
yr: Gr:, to cause to be sent immediately to The proper Passes 
from his most Christian Majesty for Liberty to pass thro any 
of his Dominions either by Sea or Land for Persons and Ves- 
sells, I shall have Occasion to employ, there may be Blanks 
left for their Names. I shall soon be in want of them. 

I wou'd observe to yr: Gr: that the Armies of Shirley and 
Johnson will not be made up to the Number I at first men- 
tioned nor near so soon ready, these generals are obliged to 
give large Bounties to the Men they now enlist^ — the New Eng- 
land Troops viz, yv'-^^ last year only for a twelve month being 
sent home during the Winter Season will by no Means be pre- 
vailed upon to return and serve again this year, and many of 
their men have deserted since they've been in Quarters and 
altho' the Winter has been Exceeding moderate in these parts, 
there has been scarce nothing done towards the Expeditions 
to be carried on by said generals this year — they have but 
lately began to enlist men to compleat their compliment, and 
raize them very slowly. The Differences between the Different 
Governments there still subsist j and even in each City there 
are Parties against each other — I mention this again to let yr : 
Gr: see the delitoriness &c of the English here, and cou'd 
wish the Canadians were made sensible of it, the Governments 



682 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

liere to the Westward (notwitlistauding the Defeat of Brad- 
dock last year, and Major Wasbingtou tlie year afore, aud the 
luvasioiis on tbeir Frontiers at present) seem to be much the 
same employed with the other Governments in scribbling one 
against another and often publickly in their Gazettes, but I 
don't find that any of their scandalous Disputes were inserted. 
They are so busied with each other that they leave every thing 
now with regard to the Army — they have highly applauded 
the Secrecy and Dispatch in which I have acted, for no men- 
tion is scarce made of my enlisting men — and the Printers 
have been strictly forbid to insert any thing about it in their 
Papers, least the French might hear of it, as the above men- 
tioned defeats were chiefly owing to Intelligences the French 
had got, and must acquaint yr: Gr: that those Defeats are the 
cause in a great Measure of their exerting themselves thus at 
this time. 

The Quakers of Philade]i)hia«S:cchearfn]ly contribute towards 
my raising men to free them and country from invasions of the 
french and Indians bnt will not, notwithstanding all the 
Calamities they have already suttered from the War be pre- 
vailed ui)on to have a in-oper Militia Act pretending it's against 
their Keligion to bear arms (tho' the other Citizens have asso- 
ciated and formed a compleat liegiment) how easily is a coun- 
try conquered when the People are thus infatuated, aud while 
their Heads and Pulers Keep thus divided — there are some in 
the armies of Shirley and Johnson in my Interest, who are pri- 
vately causing discontents among the soldiers — I have com- 
plained to the Philadelphia Assembly of Shirley and Dunbar 
&c having their recruiting Otiicers in Pensylvania to enlist their 
Men ; at a time when we want them so much ior the frontiers 
to the Westward ^C*. Since my last Letter to yr: Gr: most of 
the ablebodied Acadians, which have been transported from 
Nova Scotia and dispersed thro' out these Colonies have flocked 
to me, and enlisted under me, and this is approved of by the 
Governors, Oh! Blindness and Stupidity of the English to 
Inuigine such men will tight their Battles who wou'd rather 
chuse to cut their Throats, but their confidence in me makes 
them thus careless at this time. My Oflicers to the Southward 
and here have enlisted 1800 Germans and Irish &c besides 
since my last, and now only lack about 2200 which 1 shall 
soon get — W a fair opportunity has his JNIajesty at this Time 
to gain whatever he pleases in America, w^^' if neglected will 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 683 

be too late for me to influence the Soldiery, as I shall now be 
able to do, and it will never hereafter be in my Power to offer 
thus again, as I shall be obliged to destroy those Countries and 
People whose assistance wou'd otherwise be of great Service, 
and those Indians which are now so hearty in his Majesty's cause 
must join me for their own safety, for my Orders are to carry 
fire and Sword as far as I can go for which purpose I have 
chosen men (not such as Braddock brought over to be fright- 
tened and put in Confusion by the yellowing and hooping of the 
Indians) and must acquaint yr: Gr: that Shirley's and John- 
son's Armies have also picked men, for altho' the English are 
jangling together (which considerably delays and Injures their 
Expeditions) they wou'd seem as if they were determined now 
to do their utmost endeavours to drive the ffrench (if possible) 
out of America, that they may no more be under their Invasion 
and must say that were they heartily united they wou'd be 
considerably an Overmatch for the ffrench they are much more 
numerous, and have the best Countries, and much Wealth 
among them — I have at this Time considerable to communicate 
to y'" Gr: if I shou'd be assured of what I requested, but I'll 
content with what I have already intimated to y'' Gr : in hopes 
of being better able to do it hereafter — and now can thus far 
rest satisfied' to my conscience that I have in part discharged 
my duty and affection to my King and Country and my 
Engagements at Canada and now assure y Gr: that these 
shall be my last Letters that yr: Gr: shall receive from me 
without your Grace's Commands, I woud observe to yr: Gr: 
that my last Letters to yr: Gr: were dated the 1^* March, tho' 
they were writ the I'O**' ffeb^ for a peculiar Eeason to myself, 
they were again immediately sent to New York (where I had 
heard were Vossells lying ready to sail for Europe) under cover 
to Messrs Joshua Vaneck in London and John Neufville at 
Amsterdam and were put aboard the packet boat w'"'' sailed 

the next for London, but these is written this Day, my 

first Letters sent last Jan'^ to y'" Gr : were also under cover to 
said Mess : Vaneck and de Neufville, and were put aboard the 
Nightingale Man of War, but did not with that Dispatch my 
last Letters did, for said Man of War lay waiting about 3 weeks 
for a Wind which is uncommon at that Time of the year, y^ Gr: 
will be pleased to observe that the chief of what I wrote is 
hints of my design upon the English, and to shew the great 
j)robabiIity there is, and with how much ease his Majesty may 



684 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

subdue them at this Time (whicli is tlie only thing- needfull at 
present to write) and to induce your Gr: to cause me to be 
enabled thereto, 1 have wrote yGr: nothing but plain Matters 
of fact, but must confess I can't so well explain myself this way 
as verbatim I inform'd y''. Gr: at first that I was not designed 
a Scribler, but was bred to the Army, and if my writing- is not 
so elegant and correct as it shou'd be, I trust your Grace's 
goodness will excuse me, for I dare not yet trust any to copy 
my Letters: I pray your Gr: notwithstanding the incorrect- 
ness of them to pay a due regard to what 1 have wrote and said 
I am 

With all due deference and Respect to y' Gr : 
your Grace's most obed^ 
Humble Servant 

Filius Gallicae 
P. S, I have in my 1^* Letters given y'" Gr : proper directions 
for me, and have since wrote y^ Gr : to whose care I had sent 
them, and if yr : Gr : will be pleased to direct 
To*^ 

M' Pierre Fidell 

to be left at M"" Roemers 

Coflee House (until asked for) 

in New York in America 

it will without fail come to my hand — 

Endorsed: Intercepted Letter to tlie 
Due de Mirepoix 

March 19 ] 756 



r. THE EARL OF HALIFAX ' TO SIR CHARLES HARDY.s 
Copy] (irosveuor S(iuare March 19, 1750 

Sir Charles Hardy Bart \ 

Governor of New York S 

Dear Sir 

This Letter, which I write to you upon a verj^ particular 
occasion, shall be solely confined to it; and 1 will not mix any 
other Matter that may draw your attention from it. 

' George Montague Dunk (1716-1771) earl of Halifax, afterwards Secretary of State, was 
from 1748 to 1761, with slight interruptious. President of the Board of Trade and Tlan- 
tatioiis. 

2 Sir Charles Hardy ( ?1716-1780), afterwards admiral, served as governor of Now York 
from Si'i>tenil)er, ITS,"), to June, 1757. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 685 

The otlier day M"" Fox sent me an intercepted Letter, directed 
to tlie Duke of Mirepoix, the contents of which, upon a full 
consideration of them; appear to me of a very extraordinary 
Nature, and of the utmost Importance. The particulars of the 
Letter, as the Original will be put into your Hands by Col" 
Webb, I will not enumerate, nor trouble you with my notion 
how the Treason may be best discover'd, as I have given my 
Thoughts thereon in a i)aper Col. Webb will deliver to you, 
you and He will make such Improvements upon my proposal 
for the Discovery of the Author of the anonymous Letter, as 
to your Judgements shall appear right and most conducive to 
His Majesty's Service — But whatever be the method you shall 
think proper to j^ursue, I would recommend to you to keep 
them as secret and entrusted to as few as possible. 

The character of Peter Joncourt^ in many respects seems to 
agree with the Description which the Author of the Letter 
gives of himself; But whether that description is a real or 
fictitious one is doubtful. 

In many respects Lydius's'^ character agrees with it; in some 
it differs. But that Difference may be made with Design to 
to elude Detection. How such a Fellow as Lydius came to be 
employed last year by M' Shirley, is matter of astonishment! 

What inclines me to think much more seriously of the anony- 
mous Letter than I otherwise should do, is that almost every 
Fact mentioned in it is, either in the whole or in great part, 
true. The only circumstance of it that appeared new, was that 
a large Body of men was to be rais'd in Pennsylvania. But 
upon looking carefully over the Instructions sent by M^ Shirley 
to S' W'" Johnson, when at Mount Johnson (a copy of which 
we have lately receiv'd from S' William, and which I have 
likewise given to Col" Webb) I find that particular confirm'd. 
It is wonderful however to me that M' Shirley should have 
engaged in such a Plan without acquainting Government at 
home with it, or with the methods by which he purposes carry- 
ing it into Execution. 

The Orders given for the Indians to march to the Ohio, to 
examine Fort du (^uesne, to sound the Intentions of the French, 
and afterwards to return to Pennsylvania, to be join'd by a 
Body of Forces, are very mysterious, or at least very vague 
visionary and absurd. 

' Peter de Joncourt was French interpreter to tlie Gorerument of New York. 

■^ John Henry I-ydius, sou of a Reformed pastor at Antwerp, had been agent of Massa- 
<liusetts at Albany. Shirley made him a colonel of Indians, much to Sir William John- 
sou's disjiust. See post, No. 8. 



686 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

The Promise that their Wives and children shall be pro- 
tected in a strong Place, when there is none I know of in those 
parts, bnt Fort du Quesne, is very strange to me. 

If Orders have been given to raise Forces in Pennsylvania, 
you probably know of it, or (be they ever so secret) Gov' Mor- 
ris, I should imagine, must. If not, the state of Things is rotten 
indeed! Col" Webb supersedes M'^ Shirley's command, and 
has cv Eight to know, and I hope will know every order he has 
given and the names of every person he has employ'd in Amer- 
ica in any shape or character whatever. 

But as M"" Shirley is at some Distance and these Matters 
may not be so soon known by a Correspondence with him, I 
would strongly recommend toCol° Webb and yourself, privately 
to get every Information you can with regard to every particular 
Measure taken and person employ'd. 

You will observe in the Letter that a charge of Treason is 
laid upon three of His Majesty's Officers. I know none of 
them, and hope they are innocent. But as the clue is given, 
you and Col" Webb will soon be able to form a Judgement of 
them. One guilty person apprehended may and probablj* will 
discover more. 

Thus I leave this matter with you, and should be infinitely 
uneasy if the Conduct of it was entrusted to any other Hands 
but yours and Col" Webbs. — It may be nothing. — It may be an 
Artifice to draw a little money from France — It may be fraught 
with some other wicked Design. — But on the other liand, it 
may be a matter of the highest couseiiuence to the Wellfare of 
America, the Safety of His Majestys Subjects, and the Honor 
and Success of his Arms. 

I have never conceived the least suspicion of Disloyalty in 
those whom His Majesty has vested with command, as you will 
easily perceive by the other Letters Col" Webb has in charge 
for you. But yet there are circumstances so strange with 
regard to this whole affair, that I hold it my indispensable 
Duty to recommend tlie whole of my observations to your most 
serious Consideration. But I must strictly enjoin you to look 
upon this Letter and the whole Transaction it alludes to, as 
umtter of Secrecy between Col" Webb, you and me. I am etc 

Dunk Halifax. 

P. S. M' Pownall ' informs me that one Baron Lake Augustin 
Davis^ (a common Soldier in M' Shirley's Regiment) was lately 



'Seei)i)st, Xo. iO. 

'John I'owuall was Seeretarv to the Hoard of Trade and Plantations. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 687 

taken up as a Spy. The particulars lie relates coucerniug him 
are of an extraordinary nature and well worthy your attention. 

Endorsed: — Copy of the Earl of Halifax's Letter to S"^ 
Charles Hardy, Gov of New York dated 19 March 1756 



8. EXTRACT OF A REPORT 

Made by the Commissioners employed on the part of the Province of 

Pennsylvania at the Meeting at Albany in 1751. 

M'^ William Alexander of ]N^ew York was kind enough to tell 
us, that M"^^ Woodbridge, who kept an Indian School at Stock- 
bridge, in New England and two Connecticut Gentlemen, vizt. 

Were in Town with Intent to negociate a Purchase from the 
Indians for the Susquehannah Lands lying within the Latitude 
of the Connecticut Charter, in favour of some private Persons 
of that Government, and had with them a Thousand Pieces of 
Eight, and were busy, conferring with the Indians on this sub- 
ject, at the House; and thro' the Means of M'' Lydius. 

This Lydius' is an Inhabitant of Albany known to have 
abjured the Protestant Keligion in Canada, and to be concerned 
in a Clandestine Trade with the Caghnawaga or French pray- 
ing Indians, and suspected to carry on a Secret Correspondence 
with the Government of Canada; and, as M'' Alexander in- 
formed us, might not only have lucrative Views, in the Manage- 
ment of this Purchase, but a Design to sow Dissentions, as well 
between the Indian Nations, as between the Several Colonies, 
whose Lands lay within the Latitude of the Connecticut Charter. 

Endorsed: — Extract of the Eeport made 

by the Commissioners employed 

on the Part of the Province of Pennsylvania 

at the Meeting at Albany in 1754. 



9. COLONEL DANIEL WEBB - TO HENRY FOX. 

Portsmouth March 30"' 1756 
Sir, 

In obedience to His Majesty's Commands which I have had 
the Honor to receive from you by Mitchel the Messenger, I 
shall proceed to Plimouth the moment the winds will permit, 
and shall endeavor to execute all things required of me to the 
best of my power and capacity. 

' See the preceding letter. 

'■' Colonel Webb was sent out to take the chief coiiiniaud from Shirley auil hold it tUl 
the arri\al of Abercrombie. 



688 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

I have been also honored ^Yith two letters from you, and 
with a Copy of a second Intercept letter, and no pains shall 
be spared on my part to endeavor to discover the Author, and 
to briny: whoever may be concerned to answer as they deserve 
for so bold and destructive an undertaking, the delay in the 
Messengers returning in proper time, was owing to my going 
a Saturday evening to the lie of Wight, to take leave of a 
good old Aunt and some other relations, and the tempestious- 
ness of the weather a Sunday that, prevented my Servants 
getting over with the Dispatches, altho' he had a strugle with 
the winds iu the Xotinghams long boat for near six hours, this 
whole day indeed was employed in writing a Copy of the first 
Intercepted Letter, which I have the honor to send by this 
Messenger, the Smallness of the writing and closeness of the 
lines have so strained my eyes, that if M^ P. F.'s was in my 
custody, few arguments would be necessary to persuade his 
dispatch, 

1 am with the greatest respect 
Sir 
Your most obedient and most humble Servant 

Daniel Webb. 

r. S. I beg pardon for having omited to acknowledge the 
receii>t of the extract of a letter from Pensylvauia 
Indorsed : — Portsmouth 

March 30'" 175G 
Colonel Webb 
K*! 31«t by Mytton 



10. THE EARL OF HALIFAX TO SIR CHARLES HARDY. 

Duplicate, GrosV Square March the 'M"^ 1750 

Dear Sir 

Colonel Webb, to whose care I have already committed two 
Packetts for you, (the last containing matter of the highest 
importance to His Majesty's Service) not being yet sailed, gives 
me an opportunity of acknowledging thelJeceipt of your Let- 
ter by M' Pownall, and likewise that of the 23"^ of February; 
for both which I desire you would accept my best thanks. I 
should not however have troubled you agaiu so soon, but that 
I hold it requisite to embrace the first occasion of acquainting 
you with some new determinations of His Majestys Servants 
on the subject of the anonymous Letters lately intercepted. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 689 

I think I observed in my last to you, that I consider'd the 
first anonymous Letter more worthy attention on account of 
every particular contained in it being- either in the whole, or 
in ijart true, excepting- that ot the large Bodies of men raising 
in Pennsylvania; which is now confirmed not only by the pub- 
lick American Prints transmitted to England, but by a variety 
of private Letters, some of which I have seen. This has 
inclined Ministers to think more seriously of the matter, than 
they did before, and indeed they all agree in opinion with me, 
that there is Treason somewhere, and that the utmost expedi- 
tion and diligence should be used in the detection of it; which 
from one particular circumstance in the last intercepted Letter 
will I hope prove matter of no difficulty: The author of it says, 
"that theCherokees have made him an offer of some hundred 
men, and that he has transmitted that offer to General Shir- 
ley." Now, if it be no already, it may easily be known, to whom 
the Cherokees have made that offer, and by whom the offer 
was transmitted to M"" Shirley; Another Circumstance, which, 
if true, would lead to detection, is that of his Aid de Camp, 
which the Author mentions. I can't conceive that any one in 
Pensylvania or Virginia (for from one of those provinces the 
Letters seem to have been wrote) is of a Character to have an 
Aid de Camp ; but if there is, it must surely be known who 
that person is. Washington, I find, by private Letters is to 
command to the Westward, but I don't know it authentically, 
M'^ Shirley never having acquainted us of his having appointed 
any body to such a Command, which to me appears very extra- 
ordinary. I know nothing of M^' Washington's character, but, 
that we have it under his own hand, that he loves the whistling 
of Bullets, and they say he behaved as bravely in Braddocks 
action, as if he really did.^ From the phraseology of the Let- 
ters I think it very clear they were not wrote by a frenchman, 

1 Halifax is iiere amusing himself with a boyish expression in one of Washington's 
letters. Horace Walpole sr.ys (Memoirs of George the Second, 1,347): "In the express, 
which Major Washington dispatched on his preceding little victory (the skirmish with 
Jumonville) he concluded with these words, 'I heard the bullets whistle, and, believe me, 
there is something charming in the sound.' On hearing of this the King said sensibly, 
'He would not say so, if he had been used to hear many.' However, this Drave braggart 
learned to blush for his rhodomontade, and, desiring to serve General Braddock as aid-de- 
camp, acquitted himself nobly." Sparks, Washington, ii, 39, 40, denied that such a senti- 
ment was uttered in any of Washington's letters that have been preserved; but he quotes 
from Gordon, ii, 203, the statement that when a gentleman in Cambridge asked the Gen- 
eral about the matter, he answered, "If I said so, it was when I was young." The truth 
is, that the sentence occurs, exactly as quoted by Walpole, not in the ofQcial dispatch, but 
in a letter to Washington's brother, which was printed in the London Magazine, August, 
1754, and which may be found iu Ford's Writings of Washington, I, 89, 90. 

H. Doc. 353 44 



690 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

as they pretend to be; and from certain words (tho' the Letters 
are in general well spelt) being- spelt according to the Irish 
pronunciation I am apt to believe the Author of them an Irish 
man. M"" Pownall/ tho' his name should not be mentioned on 
the occasion, gives me reason to imagine that one Croghan is 
the man, and orders have been accordingly given by the Sec- 
retary of State for the ai)prehending him. The Letter however 
directed to Peter Fidel will be deposited at the Xew York 
Cotlee House, and other measures recommended before followed. 
!Is o Suspicion at all attends M' Shirley, but many particulars 
of the last years Transactions are highly disapproved, and I 
greatly dislike his present behaviour in his Province; foment- 
ing disputes, promoting ineffectual Enquiries, and counte- 
nancing a paper-war against your Province are ill-adapted to 
the Complexion of the Times, and the Penefit of His Majesty's 
Service. Orders are given for his return to England as soon 
as possible, and the reason given for it is, that he may be con- 
sulted on Several matters relative to the King's Service in 
America. 

It gives me great pleasure to hear your Province have come 
to so spirited Eesolutions; but I am e(pially concerned and 
surprized to find that no steps were taken in 23 days after 
towards folloAving so good an example in the lour Governm'* 
of New England. 

I am happy in the thought of your chief Difficulties being- 
removed by the late Permission given you to wave a i)art of 
your Instructions. — That Honour and Happiness may attend 
you in your Governm', will be the constant and sincere wish 
of Dear Sir, 

y most faithfull 

and obedient humble Servant 

Dunk Hahfax 
To His Excellency 

Sir Charles Hardy. 
Endorsed: — The Earl of Halifax's Letter to 
His Excell'J Sir Cha's Hardy. 
Gov"^ of New York. 
Duplicate 
Dated March the 31" 1756 

1 Tliis might 1)0 Thomas Pownall, afterwiiitls v:ov.rii<ir of Massncliiisetts, who was in 
EnKland for a short time this apiins: hut it is more probahly his brother John, secretary 
to the Roard of Trade and Plantations. George Croghan, the Indian trader, was, I am 
assnred, not the writer of the letters. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 691 

11. HENRY FOX TO COL. DANIEL WEBB. 

AVliiteliall Marcli 31"^' 1750, 
Colonel Wchh, 

Secret. 
Sir, 

The King lias comraaudecl me to signify His Pleasure to 
you, that you should, immediately upou your arrival in North 
America, make the strictest Enquiry, in Conjunction with Sir 
Charles Hardy, into the Author, or Authors, of the Two anony- 
mous Letters, lately intercepted from America, addressed to 
the Due de Mirepoix, Copies of which have been already put 
into your Hands; and you will call to your assistance and 
admit to your Councils, such Governours of His Majesty's 
Provinces, or such other Persons, as you shall judge necessary 
upon this Occasion. It has been surmised here, that M'" 
George Croghan, a principal Trader, and employed in Indian 
affairs, in Pennsylvania, may possibly have been concerned in 
these Letters; you will, therefore, make particular Enquiry 
with regard to Him, and if you shall find there is just cause 
for this suspicion, you will secure Him, and all other suspected 
Persons, as soon as possible, and you will send all such Pris- 
oners to England, with the Informations, Examinations, and 
material Evidences against them. I am to desire you to com- 
municate this Letter, together with those Intercepted Letters, 
that make the subject of it, to Sir Charles Hardy, acquainting 
Him, that this is to be considered as an Instruction to Himself. 
You will be pleased to return to me, by this messenger, the 
Blank Warrants I put into your Hands, before you left Lon- 
don, and likewise my Letter to Gov^' Shirley upon this subject, 
the same being, at present, unnecessary, and indeed improper. 
I am &c«' 

H. Fox 
P. S. 

I send you, under Flying Seal, my Letter to recall Governor 
Shirley 
Endorsed: — March 31^"^ 1756 

By Blackmore to Plymouth 
Secret. 



12. THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE 1 TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 

I have sent you, by this night's Post, a very extraordinary 
Letter, which came in a Merchant Ship to Newry, consigned 

'William Cavendish (1720-176-t), rtnke of Devonshire, was lonl lieutenant of Ireland 
from March, 1755, to November, 175G, when he became First Lord of the Treasury. 



692 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

to one M"^ Gamble at Derryj He ©ijened it, and then sent it to 
me; I at first tbouglit it was a Counterfeit, as the Contents, at 
the Beginning, seemed very improbable, but It is so circum- 
stantial, and so much knowledge of the Country contained in 
it, that I imagine It must be genuine; The Letter sign'd Allen, 
if you observe, you will, find to be the same. Hand Writing as 
the other; and He is thought to be a Popish Priest. 

I have intercepted a Letter from Hatzell to Zobell, directed 
to Meister Josep Muller at M" Brownell Shoemaker in Chequer 
Lane, Dublin: It is wrote partly in French, and some German 
in it; I have sent it to Dublin to be translate:!, and question 
whether It will be done time enough to send by this Night's 
Post; as soon as we can get to know His Person, I will take 
care to have Him seized, and all his Papers. 
Endorsed: — Extract of a Letter from 

the Duke of Devonshire 

to M' Fox 

Carton April 10"' 1756 



13. HENRY FOX TO THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE. 

Whitehall April 20*'' 1750 
Duke of Devonshire 

Secret. 
My Lord 

I received, yesterday, the Honor of your Grace's Letter of 
the 10*'^ Ins^, together with That to ^V Gamble of London- 
derry, inclosing a very extraordinary one to the Due de Mire- 
l)oix from America; and, in order to assist your Grace in your 
further Knipiiry 1 have the King's Commands to acciuaint you, 
with what has lately passed Here, concerning the same un- 
known Correspondent. 

A Letter, dated America, the 6*'' of .JaiP', and another, the 
1** of IMarch last, having been intercepted Here, were lately 
brought to me; The Latter was in the same words with that 
your Grace has now transmitted; and Both these Letters, 
being of the most dangerous Nature, the King ordered me to 
give copies of them to Col" Webb, who was then setting out 
to take the Command of His Majesty's Forces in America, 
and to suggest to Him the most probable means, that had 
occurred to the King's Servants Here, for the immediate Dis- 
covery of the Authors of them : — One Cap^ George Croghau, 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 693 

an Intriguing, Disaffected Person, and Indian Trader, in Pen- 
sylvania, was very much suspected, nor does the name of 
James Allen, (probably a Fictitious one) subscribing the Let- 
ter to M^ Gamble of Derry, remove the suspicion, tbere not 
being any considerable Person, as I am informed, in Philadel- 
phia, of that name; But I beg your Grace will inform yourself, 
upon what Foundation He is thought to be a Popish Priest; 
Master Gamble being mentioned, in the Letter, to have desired 
It might be addressed to M^ Gamble of Derry, your Grace 
will endeavor to get from Him some account of that young 
Man, and of M^ Redmond Cunningham of Philadelphia, in 
case He is also known to Him, and if He will write a Letter 
or Letters to this Master Gamble, and M"" Cunningham, requir- 
ing them to acquain the Bearer, who He was, that delivered to 
them, in Philadelphia, the Letter, directed to Him, at Derry, 
It may tend greatly to the Discovery of the Person concerned, 
and it is the King's Pleasure that your Grace should send me 
those Letters, and the Eesult of your Enquiries, by Express, 
that Lord Loudoun, who is still here, may be instructed 
accordingly. 

I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Grace, that the King- 
extremely approves your Diligence in Endeavouring to dis- 
cover M'^ Zobell, and in Examining His Correspondence; But 
indeed there is Reason to imagine, from Baron Hatzell's Letter 
to Him, that He is rather trying to get a Subsistance by some 
wild Chymical Undertaking, than by any Political Intrigue; 
nor.does His having been formerly employed by the King of 
Prussia now give Reason for suspecting him ; yet. It may not 
be improper for your Grace to continue your attention to His 
Correspondence, till His real Occupation and Designs are 
entirely cleared up 
I am S^c"" 

H. Fox 

P. S. The King has, this Day, signed the Instrument for 
your Grace's Leave of Absence, and the Appointment of the 
Lords Justices, Agreeable to your Recommendation, But It 
cannot be sent to you, till next Post, on account of the Stamp 
Office being shut, during the Holidays. 
Endorsed : — Dra* to the Duke of 
Devonshire 

April 20*1^ 1756 
Secret. 



694 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

14. THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 
I liiive this iiiomeut receiv'ed your Letter of the 1*0^^: I will 
endeavour to obey His Maj*-^^ commauds, with rejiard to IVl'' 
Crainble, with all the Expedition, aud Punctuality^ in my 
Power. 
Endorsed: — Extract of a Letter from 

the Duke of Devonshire to 

M' Fox. 

Dublin April 26*" 1756 



15. WILLIAM {;AMI;LE TO ROBERT GAMBLE. 

Copy) Dublin April 28*" 1756 

D' Cous" 

Your Father received a Letter from one James Allen of 
Philadelphia, covering a Letter to be forwarded to the Duke 
de Mirepoix; To this Allen He (your Father) is a stranger; 
but with Him you are well acquainted; therefore I intreat you 
will take the Bearer hereof to said Allen, that he may transact 
with him some Business. 
I shall be very glad to hear soon and often from you, being, 
D' Bob, Your Atfect* Uncle 

W'" Gamble 
Directed 
To 

M' Robert Gamble 

at M»' Kednv* Coningham's Mercli* 
in 

Philadelphia. 
Endorsed : — Copy of a Letter from M' 
W-"\ i amble to M"^ 
Bob* Gamble 

Dublin April 28*" 1756 
The Original of this Letter was given to the Earl of Loudoun. 



16. WILLIAM GAMBLE TO REDMOND CONYNCHAM.' 

Copy. Dublin April 28»" 1756 

Sr. 

In a Letter of the 4*" Curr*, which I received from my 
Brother Henry Gamble of Londonderry, He sent me Two Let- 

' Kwluioiul Cdiiyiisliain, esq., of Letterkenny in TrelaEtl (whoso neplicw became the 
Lord Chiuieellor P.aron Pliniket) caiiio to Phila(U»l|)lna in 1755. and was a member of the 
linn of J. M. Nesbit &. Co. He returned to Ireland in 17(>7. Penn8ylvauia Magazine, 

VI, 18, 19. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 695 

ters, which lie desired I should read, and cousider well, as 
]>ossibley they may be proper to lay before His Grace the Duke 
of Devonshire Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; I accordingly 
perused them carefully, and consulted some Gentlemen of 
Distinction and Judgement about them, and they agreed with 
me, that they ought to be laid before His Grace, which was 
accordingly done. 

One of these Letters is from one James Allen of Philadel- 
phia, Covering a Letter for the Duke of Mirepoix; which he 
begs of Him to forward; He acknowledges Himself a stranger 
to my Brother, but says He is well acquainted with you, and 
His son (whom he calls a promising youth) and on the recom- 
mendation of you Two, He has wrote to Him, and committed 
the care of forwarding the Letter to the Duke de Mirepoix; 
therefore It's reasonable to think that you and my Nephew (to 
whom I now write) are acquainted with said Allen; and as It's 
thought necessary to examine this man closely, in regard to 
his Inclosure, I now intreat your taking the Bearer hereof to 
said Allen, that he may be brought before proper people, who 
may pick from Him things of Consequence to the Country you 
live in. To a man of your Principles, I need not urge your 
Iveadiness to a Discovery of a very evil Intention in this 
Affair, because I am convinced you will go about it with the 
greatest alacrity. On this Head, or any other, I shall be glad 
to hear from you, being. 
Dear Sr. 

Your most Obed* Serv*. 



W"» Gamble 



Directed 
To 



M'" Eedm'^ Coningham, Merch* 
in 

Pliiladelphia 
Endorsed : — Copy of a Letter from M'^ 
W'" Gamble to M"^ 
Eedm'i Coningham 

Dublin April 28*1^ 1756 
The Original of this Letter was given to the Earl of Lou- 
doun. 



696 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

IV. THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 

I send you a copy of another Letter from the same Person 
to the D. de Mirepoix: M^^ Gamble at Derry opened it, and 
sent only a Copy; I have wrote for tbe Original, and desired, 
that, if any more Letters come. He would send them to • me 
unopened. 
Endorsed : — Extract of a Letter from the 

Duke of Devonshire to M"^ Fox 

Dublin May 5*^^ 1756 



18. THE EARL OF HALIFAX TO HENRY FOX. 

Bushey Park^ 

May the 9^^^ 1756 
Dear Sir 

I am obliged to you for the sight of the last intercepted Let- 
ter transmitted to you by his Grace the Duke of Devonshire 
in his Letter of tlie 3'^ of May, which I this day received at 
Bushey; and will trouble you with a few llemarks I have 
made on it, necessary for My Lord Loudoun's Information, tho' 
very probably you have already made the same, 

I think we had so many data in the former Letters, that it 
wou'd not have been possible for the author to Escape Detec- 
tion, but in the last there are some very remarkable ones. 

In the first Place he says he has communicated the Plan of 
his Treachery to ten of his Officers, by which (if true) it ap- 
pears that he must have the command of a Eegiment at least. 

He says the said ten Officers assure him that most of the 
men they have enlisted are Eoman Catholicks; upon which I 
would submit to you whether it woud not be right to recom- 
mend to Lord Loudoun to send an officer or two whom he can 
trust to Examine into the Character of the men enlisted by the 
ten Officers under the Author's Command, and to dismiss such 
as are known or strongly suspected to be Papists. 

He says the Governments to the Westward have highly ap- 
plauded the Secrecy and Dispatch with which he has enlisted 
men, it will be easily known whom the Governors to the West- 
ward have so applauded, and who has been authorised to raise 
men in their Governments. 

He tells the Duke of Mirepoix that the Quakers in Pensyl- 
vania have given their consent to his raising men there; by 



The Earl of Halifax was ransior of liuslicv Park fioin 17:59 to 1771. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 697 

which the Doubt we were in coDceruing the Province in which 
the Gentleman was employ'd in raising men is cleared up. 

If he has complained, as he says he has, to the Assembly of 
Pensylvania of Shirley and Dunbar's officers raising Recruits 
in that Province, when they are wanted for the Service to the 
Westward, it will be very easily known who the Gentleman is 
who has made these Complaints to the Assembly. 

if he has already raised, as he says he has, 1800 men, Ger- 
mans and Irish, and expects soon to have 2000 more, he must 
be of a Character and Authority not to be mistaken. 

If most of the able bodied Acadians as he assures the Duke 
of Mirepoix, have flocked to him, I submit it to you whether 
My Lord Loudoun should not be directed to make diligent 
Enquiry into the matter, and immediately discharge them 
from his Majesty's Service. And as he likewise says that some 
in Shirley and Johnson's Army are in his Interest, and are now 
privately fomenting Discontents among the Soldiers, I would 
submit to you whether My Lord Loudoun shoud not have an 
Hint to be in an Extraordinary manner watchful on this 
Head. 

I have but one other remark to make, and that is on his say- 
ing he is order'd to carry Fire and Sword as far as he can; 
which, if true, seems to intimate pretty clearly that he is to 
have the Command of the Expedition. 

In the Letters you sent me the other Day M'' Shirley tells 
you that M' Sharpe Governor of Maryland is to Command the 
Western Expedition. 

I send you these Remarks as short as I can because I woud 
not take up more of your Time than is necessary and am 
Dear Sir 
Your Most Faithfull 

and Obebient Humb' Servant 

Dunk Halifax 

Endorsed : — E. of Halifax 
May 9, 1756 
To be sent to Lord Loudoun 



19. COLONEL DANIEL WEBB TO HENRY FOX. 

I^ew York June 11''' 1756 
Sir, 

Having sailed in the Gen^ Wall Packet from Falmouth the 
IS*'' of April, and having had a passage of eight weeks, I did 
not arrive here till the 7*^ inst; but immediately on my arrival 



698 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

forwarded by express, the Dispatches I had the Honour to be 
charged with for General Sliirle}', to Albany, where he has 
been for about a month. I at the same time informed him of 
my intentions to proceed thither in five or six days, his expect- 
ing to see me so soon, has probably been the cause I have not 
yet heard from him, or it may be for want of opi)ortunity as 
there is no post established betwixt this ])lace and that, all 
letters going by the Slooi)s tluit so fre(iuently i)ass and repass. 
I should have ])rocee(led according to my first intentions if a 
sliip from Carolina had not assured us of having seen the fleet 
from Plimouth fifty Leagues from the Coast and becalmed, and 
his intelligence has seemingly proved true, b\^ the arrival yes- 
terday of Major Genl Abercrombie ' and all the transports 
excepting one with two Compan3\s of the Highland Eeg*, which 
was seperated in a hard gale ten days ago, another ship with 
five Companys of that Keg* was seperated at the same time, 
but she is come into the mouth of the river this morning. 

The Harriot Packet that took up the Germain Commission 
and non Comuiission Officers at Dover, arrived the day before 
the transi)orts, and were on the point of proceeding to Pensil- 
vania under the care of IMajor Rutherford, when we had an 
account of Gen' Abercrombies being Anchored at the entrance 
of this harbour. 

On my communicating the intercepted letters to Sir Charles 
Hardy, he was very much surprised, and equally pusled, and 
is still at a loss what to conclude on the whole, and will give a 
fuller account by the Packet which he proposes to Disi)atch 
for England a Monday next the 21*** instant, than it would be 
prudent to trust by a common merchant ship, I shall trouble 
you with a Duplicate by the Packet, in order to have a double 
chance of y' receiving it the sooner, this is the first ship for 
England since my arrival, 

I have the Honor to be 

with the greatest esteem. Sir, 
your most obedient and 
most humble servant 



Dan^ Webb. 



M"^ Fox 

Indorsed : — New York 

June 17'!^ 1756 
CoP Webb 

Ri July 2G"' 



' Abercrombie was to take the cliief coiiiniand Irom Wt"l)b ami to hold it till the arrival 
of Lomloiiii. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 699 

20. THE EARL OF LOUDOUN TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 

I have not had it in my Power to do anything about the 
Intercepted Letters 5 before I arrived M^ Webb had talked that 
affair over with Sir Charles Hardy, but they could find nothing 
from any lights it gave them, nor could 1 on my first arrival, 
but lately I lind from M' Cragon, tliat there were some People 
in Pensilvania, who were going off to the French, and some of 
them were stopt; but this scene lies in Pensilvania, and as 
some of the People, lam informed were brought before Magis- 
trates, it must be known both to M^ Shirley and Governor 
Morris, so you certainly must have had accounts of it, since I 
left London. 

I do not chuse to make a noise till I have further lights, but 
the moment I can get to Pensilvania, I will endeavour to bring- 
to light, whatever I can come at in this affair. 

I find Barron Leake &c &c^ who was a soldier in Major 
General Shirley's Kegiment, was taken up in Jersey, and 
Papers and Plans found on him, and Commissions, but was 
discharged, as a Soldier on Furlough in M' Shirley's Regiment, 
he went then back to Pensilvania, and I have never been able 
to learn, whether he went to the Regiment at Oswego, or 
deserted, but when we come to make an Enquiry, into the 
affairs of that Regiment, I shall endeavour to find thiis out." 

Extract of a letter from the Earl of Loudoun to The Right 
Hon'^^*^ Henry Fox. 

Dated Albany Oct' 3'^ 1756 



21. THE EARL OF LOUDOUN TO HENRY FOX. 

New York January 4'^^ 1757 
Sir, 

I have the honor of your Letter of October 2'\ by the Packet, 
in which you acquaint me, that His Majesty had been pleased, 
to Order Major General O'Farrell's Regiment, and the twenty 
four additional Companies from Ireland, to l^ew York. I have 
prepared Quarters for them here, and in the Villages on Long 
Island, and in this Neighbourhood. 

I shall immediately on their Arrival, compleat Major General 
O'Farrell's Regiment, to one thousand Men, and altho' I have 
reason to Imagine, that the three Regiments in Nova Scotia, 

' See po8tscri])t to No. 7, ante. 



700 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

are very near compleat, if not quite so, as by their returns to 
me of the 1«* of October, they wanted but two hundred and 
eighty two men to compleat them to the numbers expected; 
and one Regiment there Has since that, received one Hundred 
Men, and a great many Kecruits gone to the other Eegiments 
the numbers of which I do not exactly know, but after enquir- 
ing of Captain Coterell, who is Secretary to the Province, at 
present here, for the Recovery of his Health, I shall reserve for 
those Regiments three hundred men, and shall send them to 
Halifax as soon as I can with safety; the remainder shall 
divide among the Troops here, according as I find them, when 
they arrive. 

Last night, one of the Transports was off the Land and got 
a Pilote on board ; as it blew very hard off the Land, she could 
not get in; but I do not apprehend any danger; the People in 
the pilote boat acc^uaint me, that they told them, they had 
parted from the Fleet about ten days ago, and that they had 
two hundred and Fifty soldiers aboard, which was all he could 
hear. 

On the first of this month we got Intelligence from a Mer- 
chant in New York, that a Gentleman at Philadeli)hia, in the 
Coffee House, about a fortnight ago enquired if there was a 
Letter at the Post Ollice here directed for Pierre Fidel, and on 
being told there was, said he wished he would forward it to 
him, as the Gentleman for whom it was directed, is now on the 
Frontiers, the Merchant did not know the ]\Ian, but says, he 
was dressed like an Ofiicer, and thinks he is a Stranger. This 
Intelligence came to Sir Charles Hardy, and on Sunday morn- 
ing I sent off" Colonel Stanwix, and the Merchant to point out 
the Man, with Orders, if he is still there, to secure him and 
his Papers, and all such Persons as appear, either from examin- 
ing him, or from his Papers, to be engaged with him. 

Before the Information arrived, M' Webb was going to Phil- 
adelphia, to take command of the Troops, and to enquire after 
an Account, I mentioned to you in a former Letter, I had of a 
number of Men, that had assembled and marched oft", to join 
the Enemy, that they had been pursued and taken ; but I do 
not find, that any one was ever punished for this, or that it 
has ever been reported to the Government at home; but M"^ 
Webb has been so much out of order, for ten days, that it was 
not in his Power, to undertake the Journey. I hope Colonel 
Stanwix may be there this night, tho' the snow is very deep, 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 701 

all over tlie Country, wliicli makes Travelling very tedious at 
present. 

On the 5*" at night, the Transport I mentioned above, arrived 
here; she proves to be the Baltimore; Colonel Rolls is ou 
board, by whom I am informed, they sailed from Cork ISfovem- 
ber C^'', and parted with the Fleet on the 18*^', in a hard Gale 
of Wind, before they reached the Western Islands; they have 
in her, one hundred and Seventy Eight Soldiers, and acquaints 
me, that the whole amount to Seventeen hundred. They have 
taken in their Voiage, the S* Vincent, of Bourdeaux, and 
retook the Muscovy belonging to London, coming from 
Jamaica, and bound to London. 

I shall mention nothing of the drafts, till I see them, and 
when Colonel Prevost arrives, who has the different returns of 
them, from their liegiment, I shall send you a propper return 
of their numbers, and what they aie. 

As I must set out on Saturday Morning for Boston I shall 
only add, that I am most impatient to know, how the General 
plan I proposed for next Campaign is approved of, because, 
according to the plan that is to be executed, the preparations 
must be made, and will be extremely different for different 
Plans. 

I have the honor to be, with the greatest Respect. 
Sir, 
Your Most Obedient and 

Most Humble Servant 

Loudoun 
The Right Hon^i® Henry Fox 
Endorsed: — New York, Jan>' 4*'' 1757 
Earl of Loudoun 
R Feby 11*'' 



22. THE EARL OF LOUDOUN TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 

"Last night, I had a Letter from Colonel Stanwix, dated 
Philadeliihia, January 10*^, by which I find, the Person he 
went in search of^ had not then appeared; that he was still in 
Search after him, privately : " 

Extract of a letter from the Earl of Loudon to the Right 
Hon'^''^ Henry Fox 

Dated Boston Jan> 25*11 x757. 



702 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 

23. THE EARL OF LOUDOUN TO HENRY FOX (EXTRACT). 

"Wlien I was at Pen.silvaiiia, I found the French Neutrals 
there, had been very mutinous, and had threatened to leave 
the Women and Children, and go over and join the French in 
the back Country. They sent me a Memorial in French setting 
torth their Grievances; I returned it, and said I could receive 
no Memorial from the Kings Subjects but in h^nglish, on which 
they had a general Meeting, at which they determined, they 
would give no Memorial but in French, and as I am informed, 
they come to this resolution, from looking on themselves 
entirely as French Subjects. 

Captain Cotterell, who is Secretary for the Province of Xova 
Scotia, and is in this Country for the recovery of his Health, 
found among those Neutrals, one who had been a Spie of Colo- 
nel Cornwallis,' and afterwards of Governor Lawrence,'^ who 
he tells me had behaved well, both in giving accounts of what 
those People were doing, and in bringing them Intelligence of 
the Situation and Strength of the French Forts, and in partic- 
ular of Beausejour: by this man I learnt, that there were live 
principal leading men among them, who stir up all the disturb- 
ance these People make in Pensilvania, and who persuade 
them to go and join the Enemy, and who jirevent them from 
Submitting to any regulation made in the Country, and to 
allow their Children to be put out to work. 

On hnding this to be the case, I thought it necessary for 
me, to prevent as far as I possibly could, such a Junction to 
the Enemy; On which I secured those live ringlciiders, and 
l)ut them on board Captain Falkinghams Ship, the Sutherland, 
in order to his carrying them to England, to be disposed of as 
His Majestys Servants shall think proper: but I must inform 
you, that if they are turned loose, they will directly return, 
and continue to raise all the disturbance in their Power; there- 
fore it appears to me, that the Safest way of keeping them, 
would be to Employ them as Sailors on board Ships of War." 

"In a former Letter I acquainted you of the Intelligence we 
had received, of a Person at Philadelphia, enquiring for the 
Letter directed to Pierre Fidel, and the steps taken to discover 
and apprehend him; that miscarried, and we could never dis- 



• Edward Cornwallis (1713-1776), afterwards geniTal (brother of the archbishop and 
nncle of the famous marquis), was governor of Xova Scotia from 1749 to 1752. 
'^ Col. Chark's Lawrence governed Nova Scotia from 1753 1o 17G0. 



INTERCEPTED LETTERS, 1756. 703 

cover, who the Person was that made the enquiry, or what is 
become of him. 

By the Indian Intelligence, from Sir William Johnson en- 
closed, you will see, that there are reports, of the People at the 
German Flatts negotiating- with the French; They are there 
at a great distance, and still more disobedient to Government, 
than those that live nearer; but as yet we have not been able, 
to fix on any of them with certainty: Ensign Wendel, who is 
named there, came to me a few days before this Intelligence 
arrived, and threw up his half pay, rather than run the risk of 
being employed again as an officer: On this Intelligence, I 
sent immediately and secured him and his Papers, and was in 
hopes by him, both to have discovered what there was in that 
correspondence, and likewise to have got some lights, into the 
affairs mentioned in the intercepted Letters. 

When he arrived, Sir Charles Hardy, Major Geneial Aber- 
cromby and I, searched his Papers, but nothing appeared. I 
then acquainted him, of our having discover'd his correspond- 
ence last Summer with the enemy, from the German Flatts; 
and likewise of his Correspondence and Engagements the year 
before. 

He immediately acquainted us with the Letter he writ, which 
was to a Cousin of his, Ensign Schuyler, who was taken Pris- 
oner at Oswego, telling him, that all his friends were well, and 
employed building a Fort; told us of the Indian he gave it to, 
who was going to Canada from the Indians, which agrees with 
the Information; Said he was sorry if that gave offense; That 
he writ the Letter at the Table, in the Place where he Messed 
with several other Officers of the Regiment there. — As this 
seem'd to be an Imprudence, arising from Ignorance, and noth- 
ing further appearing against him, we have dismissed him." 

Extracts from a letter from the Earl of Loudoun to the Eight 
Hon^^'" William Pitt 

Dated ^ew York, April 25^^^ 1757. 



28 W 






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